| Great Papuan Plateau | |
|---|---|
 Physical map of New Guinea | |
| Highest point | |
| Coordinates | 6°36′13.00″S 142°35′16.44″E / 6.6036111°S 142.5879000°E |
| Geography | |
 | |
The Great Papuan Plateau is a karst[1] plateau in the Southern Highlands, Hela and Western Provinces of Papua New Guinea. It is bordered the upper stretches of the Kikori River and the Strickland River on the east and west, respectively, and the Karius Range, the southern edge of the highlands, including Mount Sisa (2,650 m), to the north, and Mount Bosavi (2,507 m) to the south.[2]
The eastern part of the plateau, east of the Sioa River, covers about 525 square miles (1,360 km2) and had a sparse population of 2,100 people (1966 government census), speaking at least five different languages. The dominant ethnic groups of this region are the Bosavi, Hawalisi, and Onabasulu. Further to the west are the Etoro, Bedamuni, and Sonia.[2] In general, these groups practice swidden agriculture with exploitation of taro.[3]
The Great Papuan Plateau has petroleum resources, and a pipeline from the plateau to Daru is under construction.[4]
The Great Papuan Plateau is included within the Kikori River Basin/Great Papuan Plateau included in 2006 on a tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for its well-preserved natural systems and culturally significant sites.[5]
- ^ Tanya Leary. "Papua New Guinea - A Mega-diversity Hot Spot". World Wildlife Fund. Archived from the original on 2007-02-28. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ^ a b Schieffelin, 5.
- ^ Serge Bahuchet (ed.). "Papua New Guinea Human Ecology". The Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Tropical Forests. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ^ Serge Bahuchet (ed.). "Papua New Guinea Development Policy". The Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Tropical Forests. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
- ^ "Kikori River Basin/Great Papuan Plateau". Tentative Lists database of the UNESCO World Heritage. Retrieved 2007-03-22.